The Norwegian Olympic delegation has brought around 6,000 doses of asthma medication to the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics to treat national team members if they are diagnosed with the chronic respiratory disease. Norwegian government-owned broadcasting corporation NRK published the list of drugs taken to PyeongChang by the Norwegian team doctor. It includes 1,800 doses of Symbicort, 1,200 doses of Atrovent, 1,200 doses of Alvesco, 360 doses of Ventolin and 1,200 doses of Airomir – which amounts to 10 times more asthma drugs than Finland has brought to South Korea.
Norway, a dominant force in cross-country skiing, has been criticized for excessive use of asthma drugs which, along with easing acute asthma symptoms, can also help to open bronchial airways in order to increase fatigue resistance.
The Norwegian team won a total of 18 awards at last year’s World Championships in Lahti, Finland, completing a clean sweep of gold medals in the women’s events. However, in 2016, the debate over of Norway’s legal asthma drug use reignited when a doping test of three-time Olympic medalist, Martin Johnsrud Sundby, revealed elevated levels of Ventolin.
Sundby was subsequently slapped with a two-month ban, which was considered a mild punishment by many observers. After serving the ban, Sundby resumed training and will compete at the PyeongChang Games, which begin this Friday.
https://www.nrk.no/sport/olympiatoppen-har-sendt-over-6000-doser-astmamedisin-til-ol-1.13880280